Customer Reviews

Boogeyin Swamprock Salsa & Trane

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Perhaps what makes New Orleans music so remarkable is the preservation of African culture that slavery attempted to eradicate elsewhere in America. In fact, most historians point to that town as the birthplace of 'Jazz,' aka African-American classical music, arguably America's most important contrubution to music.

To me, the best example of the evolution of New Orleans music is the 'Second Line' Brass Band. These bands would accompany funeral parades in a somber manner going TO the funeral, then throw down and party on the way back.

This music is more raw and raucous than Dixieland, with an added funk edge in recent years. The Dirty Dozen are the best of the recent, famous Brass bands, but La Carte should be right up there with them. They've got all the thick, muddy soul gumbo that Dirty Dozen has with a couple of innovations: a Satchmo-influenced singer on a few tracks, afro-cuban percussion in place of the standard snare drums, and more recent soul-jazz material like Herbie's Cantaloupe island and Lee Morgan's SIDEWINDER.

If you enjoy the polished sound of light jazz or new age, this music is not for you.

If, however, you like ANYTHING in the real of soul, jazz, or Dr. John, or if, like me, you can't resist a funky, funky sousaphone (tuba,) buy this record now and get ready to shake what your momma gave ya when it comes.

Dear prospective listeners (and buyers!), be aware that the "Satchmo-influenced singer" that Jake Pegg of PDX is referring to is none other than the legendary Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer and Godfather of Go-Go himself...Mr. Chuck Brown of Washington, DC! This CD is a labor of love for indigenous American music, especially of the New Orleans variety. What makes it deliciously ironic is that it was recorded in rural Maryland, and it kicks like a mule with a toothache! Get this, roots people, you won't go wrong...